So I have always been a believer that most rods break due to user error.  I read and hear from guys that say, "I broke my (whatever brand) rod on a hook set.  It just snapped."  My next thoughts are always> did something else go wrong here and it's probably not the rods fault. 

 

Well today for the first time ever, I am the guy that broke a rod on a hook set.  I was fishing a small swimbait and jig head with a Shimano Stradic, 6lb test FC, on a 7'2'' ML Fast Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye Rod.  I have had this rod for a few years and it gets limited use.   But oddly, I had something hit the bait on a long cast and when I lifted the rod to set the hook> snap.  It broke right in the middle.  I caught one fish (2lb+ largemouth) on this rod about 15 minutes before it snapped and had no issues up until the break.

 

I am going to call Fenwick on Monday and see what they can do, if anything.

 

Any thoughts on Fenwick's warranty and customer service?

 

Welcome to the broken elite tech club. I recently broke my second one. The first one I had to fight with them to get them to replace it and this one I emailed them 3 weeks ago and have not heard a response back. Worst CS in the industrie

You don’t need to cut the rod in half to return it.
The warranty may not be covered after 2 years and Fenwick isn’t company it’s a Pure Fishing brand name.

Tom

52 minutes ago, WRB said:

You don’t need to cut the rod in half to return it.
The warranty may not be covered after 2 years and Fenwick isn’t company it’s a Pure Fishing brand name.

Tom

Elite tech rods are LIFETIME warranty

1 hour ago, Hower08 said:

Elite tech rods are LIFETIME warranty

Shouldn’t have any problems

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Shouldn’t have any problems

Except for fenwicks hoorible CS. I will no longer be buying any more fenwicks and will be phasing out and more that I own that aren't broken yet 

Pure Fishing is under COVID restriction in their state. I can’t get reel parts or anyone on the phone. They’re ordinarily very good. I d cut them some slack on this one. 

5 hours ago, Hower08 said:

Except for fenwicks hoorible CS. I will no longer be buying any more fenwicks and will be phasing out and more that I own that aren't broken yet 

Fenwick is great. This is all COVID-19 related. They're generally known for some of the best customer service in the industry.

 

Was gonna say I've had issues with a fenwick rod before...no issue with the customer service

11 hours ago, Glaucus said:

Fenwick is great. This is all COVID-19 related. They're generally known for some of the best customer service in the industry.

 

It's not just this time I have had C.S issues. Some companies I've had to go through C.S are very good. The last two times I had to go through fenwicks C.S has been the same. Had to basically fight them to get them to honor there warranties 

15 minutes ago, Hower08 said:

It's not just this time I have had C.S issues. Some companies I've had to go through C.S are very good. The last two times I had to go through fenwicks C.S has been the same. Had to basically fight them to get them to honor there warranties 

It sounds to me, like all companies, they wanted to make sure their rod actually had a defect and wasn't broken by negligence. And of course now COVID-19 has the whole industry messed up along with everything else. Well, fine. I won't try to tell you what your experience was because I'm not you, but this is very unusual.

I got through to Fenwick and they did seem a little (for a lack of a better word) grumpy. But I don't think it had anything to do with me or my rod, it was just the amount of calls they have coming in, the total lack of staff, and a few not to happy customers.  

I did send them what they asked for (pictures and my info) and a new rod will be sent my way when they can ship it.  It may be a month but they did stand by their product and sent me a new rod (different model) covered under their warranty.  If I had ordered the same model I have, it would have been September or longer.  Overall it was a good experience and I think they are doing the best they can under the circumstances.  

 

Hopefully the new rod will hold up better.  In a way I wish they would have said... "Sorry about your luck".  It would have given me an excuse to order a G. Loomis NRX but I guess it will wait until next time.   

Glad you had a good experience with them.  I had to deal with Pure Fishing one time over a broken rod.  The lady was polite and understanding and since they were out of the rod I had they upgraded me to the same model in the lineup just above it. It was at my house in less than a week. It was a good experience.   

14 minutes ago, Teal said:

Glad you had a good experience with them.  I had to deal with Pure Fishing one time over a broken rod.  The lady was polite and understanding and since they were out of the rod I had they upgraded me to the same model in the lineup just above it. It was at my house in less than a week. It was a good experience.   

I would have liked for them to upgrade me to a different level rod as well.  It seems that, after reading some reviews and posts here, I am not the only one with an Elite Tech rod that has broken. 

@FishTank I know buddy.  It stinks.  Glad they were able to send you one tho.   The one I broke was an OG. Vertias....those things were notoriously fragile.. I'm glad they didn't send me another one. Lol I sold the rod thst they sent.